Libertyville Family Law Blog

Get the right help for a contentious legal battle

On behalf of Beermann Law Group, Ltd. posted in family law on Tuesday, November 13, 2018.

Going through a divorce isn't always easy, but the good news is that there are things that can help. From going through mediation to allowing a judge to determine the outcome of your case, there are always things that can be done to resolve a divorce.

One of the most difficult things to deal with is a divorce that is not going to plan. It's already hard to deal with the financial and emotional difficulties of divorce, but struggling with arguments with your spouse is a whole different situation.

3 tips to help you get the custody arrangement you want

On behalf of Beermann Law Group, Ltd. posted in child custody on Friday, November 2, 2018.

If you are starting the divorce process and have children with the other parent, your goal may be to have as much time with your kids as possible. However, if you're worried about being seen as a responsible parent, you might think that the judge won't rule in your favor.

If you and your spouse can't work out a custody arrangement on your own, then it's important for you to know what to say and do if you go to court. The right actions could help you get custody. Here are three important tips.

Do people have to pay back missing child support?

On behalf of Beermann Law Group, Ltd. posted in child support on Friday, October 19, 2018.

If you have not paid child support or have not been receiving the child support you are supposed to get from the other parent, there is a way of collecting that money later on. It is known as back-paying support, and it's how children can eventually obtain compensation for child support they were supposed to get during their years growing up.

One parent typically owes support during a divorce. That parent is expected to meet the obligation monthly or in whatever way the court agrees to. State guidelines generally state how the obligator has to pay the recipient over time. If the correct payments are not made, then the person who was supposed to be paying is considered in arrears.

Divorce conflict: You can work through it

On behalf of Beermann Law Group, Ltd. posted in Divorce on Thursday, October 4, 2018.

A divorce isn't easy for most people, and the likelihood is that there will be some difficulties that come up with yours. It's likely that you and your spouse will have some disagreements, but if you're willing to work together, you can get through them. If not, you both can go to trial and have a judge determine what happens with your divorce, but that is usually not the best option for anyone involved.

You and your spouse may not be sure how to work with each other during a divorce, especially because you are separating. That doesn't mean that there aren't options or that you can't be civil with one another.

3 ways to divide marital property in an Illinois divorce

On behalf of Beermann Law Group, Ltd. on Friday, September 28, 2018.

Breaking up a marriage involves more than just you and your spouse going your separate ways, it also entails the complex process of dividing your marital property. One of the biggest questions you may have is what you are going to end up with after the split. The answer depends on which approach you take to distributing community assets. There are three common ways you may go about it:

1. Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement

Illinois ranks middle-of-the-range for happiness, environment

On behalf of Beermann Law Group, Ltd. posted in family law on Friday, September 21, 2018.

If you're interested in knowing the happiest places to live and raise a family, then you should look no further than this report from Sept. 17. According to the news story, the happiest place to live is Hawaii, but Illinois made the list at number 23.

When Illinois ranked number 23, it was down to a few factors. It was ranked number 12 in emotional and physical well-being, ranked 44th for community and environment and 45th for work environment. It ranked very low in the long-term unemployment rate category, which also has a negative impact on marriages and divorces due to financial strain.

What should you know about child support as a single parent?

On behalf of Beermann Law Group, Ltd. posted in child support on Friday, September 7, 2018.

You're paying child support, so you should know much about how the process works. As a father, it's important that you know what you may have to pay for support or if it's due to you. It all depends on the circumstances of your child custody arrangement.

If you're paying support, one thing to ask is how long the support is supposed to last. For most children, support continues until your child is not a minor any longer. You may also stop paying in some instances, such as when your child is on active duty with the military, if your minor child is emancipated or if your parental rights are terminated.

Don't jump into another relationship during divorce

On behalf of Beermann Law Group, Ltd. posted in Divorce on Monday, August 20, 2018.

A divorce isn't easy for anyone, but it's particularly hard if you're already interested in seeing someone else. You should know that even if you separate, having a significant other isn't the best idea. Why? If your spouse finds out and has a problem with it, the situation could lead to a divorce where your spouse claims you're at fault.

Even though property is divided equitably in Illinois, a spouse could show that your actions cost them financial security or caused other concerns that could make a judge grant them more of the marital property than you were expecting.

Develop a custody schedule or a judge will do it for you

On behalf of Beermann Law Group, Ltd. posted in child custody on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.

When you and your estranged spouse no longer get along, determining child custody arrangements in a divorce isn't always easy. You may have little or no communication with one another other than to allow your child to see or communicate with the other parent.

This isn't healthy. It also makes it very hard to develop a custody schedule that works for everyone and in the best interests of your child. As a parent, it's up to you to set aside your differences and focus on how you can help your child best during and following the divorce.

Consider the changing tax laws if divorce is on your mind

On behalf of Beermann Law Group, Ltd. on Sunday, August 5, 2018.

Timing is everything, and that is especially true if you are close to filing for divorce.

Beginning in 2019, the changing tax laws will affect many divorcing couples, especially those who carry a high net worth.